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I like most of what Chris Hedges writes and he doe...

2009-11-10T22:32:08.254-05:00

I like most of what Chris Hedges writes and he does offer some compelling insights into the current spiritual health of America. Corporatism and plutocracy have gone hog wild in this country, that is all true but Hedges's vision is so unrelentingly dark and pessimistic that I have some nagging doubts. Haven't we always been at risk for fascism, especially during the Gilded Age when the giant trusts were just as big and arrogant as the current crop of corporate robber barons?
We once had a society based on slave labor, wasn't that a form cultural, spiritual and national suicide? America somehow survived the crime of slavery but at a great cost and we are still paying.

"We thought Rickrolling had been done to death... ...

2009-11-08T23:32:05.512-05:00

"We thought Rickrolling had been done to death... until right-wingers fell for this prank." How to Rickroll Republicans

I probably shouldn't have singled out the purses. ...

2009-11-07T23:03:28.555-05:00

I probably shouldn't have singled out the purses. The men's wallets were obscenely expensive -- some cost $75 after the 50 percent price break. You can get a top-quality kitchen knife for that kind of money and make some serious dinners.

I dunno, Hank -- why do you assume that a purse is...

2009-11-07T15:40:09.844-05:00

I dunno, Hank -- why do you assume that a purse is so much less valuable than a Blackberry? From my perspective, I can think of few things that I'd like to own less than a Blackberry. But a well-made, attractive, purse -- that's something I'd carry with me and use every day; serves a practical function, etc. I think you just can't appreciate the importance of a purse -- it's a cultural difference between men and women. (Not that I think those purses you posted are all that attractive, and not that I spend that kind of money on my purses -- but only because it's not within my budget.)

New Jerseyites have been complaining about propert...

2009-11-05T21:43:47.358-05:00

New Jerseyites have been complaining about property taxes for generations, no matter who is in office. We want good schools but we don't want to pay for them. Rich and affluent school districts have good schools and high property taxes. Princeton schools have a very good and well deserved reputation for excellence, for example. So why do they have to support these cockamamie charter schools? Why should these charter schools get tax payer money when their results are no better than regular public schools? Oh yeah, they play into the whole anti-union movement. The right wing won't be happy until they destroy all unions in this country. Charter schools and vouchers are not about helping kids but about destroying the unions. There might be one or two outstanding charter or "voucher-schools" but over all they are doing no better than public schools and in many cases worse. Guess what, lots of public schools are doing very well, too. Right wingers hate public schools and unions. They won't be happy until they have privatized our schools and made them for-profit entities.
Christie will do nothing about the debt, he will play mathematical games, maybe lower taxes in one area only to have taxes rise in other areas, a kind of shell game. Unless he cuts services to needy folks but then he will have to deal with the punch back and outrage. Blacks and minorities voted overwhelmingly for Corzine. The GOP is no friend to the poor and minorities. There is not one black GOP US senator or US representative in the whole Congress. That speaks volumes.

It's a bad idea and once it's done, it can't be un...

2009-10-30T00:19:32.412-04:00

It's a bad idea and once it's done, it can't be undone. It's going to be the straw that breaks the Treasury's back. Unfortunately, the children and grandchildren will have to pay for it. Argh, how stupid can we be?

These right wing demagogues disgust me. They're gi...

2009-10-18T01:38:57.955-04:00

These right wing demagogues disgust me. They're given a bully pulpit on Fox News and talk radio across the nation. They are constantly demonizing and swift boating liberals.
But now I find out that supposed liberal radio talker, Lynn Samuels, is a birther and is rabidly anti-Obama. She was kicked off of WABC 770 a few years ago when ABC was purging its few liberals. Now she's on satellite (Sirius) radio. I have lost all respect for her. With "liberals" like her who needs Glenn Beck.

I have to agree. I live in South Brunswick, but my...

2009-10-16T17:18:00.449-04:00

I have to agree. I live in South Brunswick, but my mailing address is Jamesburg which gives me the 08831 zip code which the rest of the world recognizes as Monroe Township. Try to explain that one.

Wonder how hard it would be to consolidate? Major undertaking, I suspect. We're dealing with the US Government here, you know.

You are absolutely right, Hank. One single South ...

2009-10-16T16:24:28.845-04:00

You are absolutely right, Hank. One single South Brunswick mailing address would, in effect, put it on the map. Recent news articles, both good and bad, have mentioned South Brunswick - such as one of Rutgers' top receivers, Mohammed Sanu, is a SBHS grad - but if somebody went looking for it, they might not actually find it.

Add that to the fact that the subdivisions with zip codes - Kendall Park, Dayton, Monmouth Junction, etc. - are just as invisible to people because they are not separate towns, and you've got the makings of irrelevance, if that's possible in an area like South Brunswick. Especially since the other three "Brunswick's" are actual towns, not an amalgamation of zip codes.

If the good people of Toms River can rename their entire town (from the "Township of Dover") a couple of years back, so can the people of S.B. unify their zip codes to be labeled the same.

* begin quote * The whole secession crap was ...

2009-10-16T13:05:10.244-04:00

*** begin quote ***
The whole secession crap was settled with the Civil War.
*** end quote ***

Yup, the gooferment is based on force. We can "make" you do things.

Unfortunately, it's not settled as long as men are alive. (That's why you can't even keep drugs out of your prisons!) Just as the Soviet Union dissolved, so to will your vaunted "USA". Empires die in Afghanistan. Empires die when they debase their money. Empires collapse from within; rotten to the core.

It's the law of entropy. Men will be free!

Let me clarify. The idea of secession is a stupid ...

2009-10-16T12:17:17.920-04:00

Let me clarify. The idea of secession is a stupid idea, not a president Corzine.
The whole secession crap was settled with the Civil War. It will not happen and it should not happen, it's just ridiculous nonsense.
Secession talk makes as much sense as the debunked birther nonsense. This is tin foil hat territory.

NJ secedes and so we will have President Corzine o...

2009-10-16T10:13:54.166-04:00

NJ secedes and so we will have President Corzine of the republic of NJ.
What a sh*t a$$ idea.

As one of the founders of the Eastern Villages Ass...

2009-10-16T10:02:41.857-04:00

As one of the founders of the Eastern Villages Association, I thank you for your kind words.

Do not, however, ignore the power of the press. Your paper and others could have ignored our fight, but you did not. Our goal was to find stories and approaches to the battle to keep the "world" interested. Your reporters and other local reporters helped considerably.

To everyone who had a part in this amazing outcome, "Thank you all so much. South Brunswick is so much better off due to all your efforts."

* begin quote * We are a representative democ...

2009-10-16T09:03:00.236-04:00

*** begin quote ***
We are a representative democracy or a democratic republic
*** end quote ***

No! No "democracy". (At least, hopefully, not yet. But it is slipping away on us to that.)

We're supposed to be a "republic" where everyone has "rights". The democratic "will of the people" (i.e., mob rule) is limited as to what they can do.

(I say slipping away because of the expropriation of the Chrysler and GM bond holders, the hiring and firing of executives by Obama, and the vilification of Wall Street bonus getters. Did ya ever hear of a "bill of attainder"? Can't do that! Constitutionally.)

Secession anyone?

Having legislatures pick senators didn't work out ...

2009-10-15T22:50:06.973-04:00

Having legislatures pick senators didn't work out at all, it was a disaster. Some states didn't select senators for years because of all the political squabbles and infighting. So they had no representation in the Senate for years at a time. The folks in those states were justifiably quite upset and made their outrage well known. The Dead Old White Guys only wanted white male property owners to have the right to vote. It's obvious that libertarians don't want too many people voting, that the vote should be a privilege for the select few. I'm sure that libertarians want to turn the whole voting process into a private for profit industry. If it goes bankrupt, then tough luck, no voting for that year. The right to vote is not in the US Constitution but it is in the state constitutions.
We are a representative democracy or a democratic republic, same difference. We are quite different from the German Democratic Republic or the republics of the USSR.
Jaysus, I really hate libertarianism. It's intellectual methamphetamine; it rots the soul and empties the spirit of any capacity for empathy or compassion.

* begin quote * The issue here is the fili...

2009-10-15T19:20:27.220-04:00

*** begin quote ***
The issue here is the filibuster itself. It’s time to end this archaic procedure and take away the ability of a group of small-state Ssenators to hold the American people hostage.
*** end quote ***

Herb, herb, herb, ... don't you realize that the Dead Old White Guys feared democracy as mob rule. Hence, they tried to throw road blocks into the "popular will".

Lifetime appointment for judges and six year term Senators selected by the State Legislature were just two of the roadblocks they put in as ways to be a "republic".

They were also concerned that large states would overwhelm the little one. Why would a small state support the arrangement where they are always outvoted.

You "liberals" are always willing to change the rules to get your way. Note the Massachusetts change and rechange how to fill Kennedy's / Kerry's seat.

The reason that many states are talking secession is that the don't want to "play along". In short order, you may find that Vermont, Texas, Montana, and who know who else may seek to "leave the party".

Leave filibuster alone. Unless you're prepared to eventually fracture the Union. Remember in 2010, your precious "virtuous" D's may be in the minority and need the fillibuster to keep the "villainous" R's from passing this or that. (As if there was any difference between the two.)

Remember the R's got the two term limit to prevent another FDR and prevented Ike. That gave us Nixon. And, we see how well that worked out.

Don't mess with the Dead Old White Guys' design. Can we now repeal the direct election of Senators? That hasn't worked out so well either!

Let me tell you, I'm as sick as you are of Chris C...

2009-10-15T01:34:34.216-04:00

Let me tell you, I'm as sick as you are of Chris Christie's disgusting failure to be specific. If I was a Republican, I suppose I would've voted for Lonegan or Merkt just to teach Christie a lesson for expecting everything on a silver platter when he can't even be bothered to release a specific plan. Gov. Corzine, of course, would provide four more gloomy years of out-of-control taxing, spending, waste, corruption, political machines, and gimmicky homestead rebates. What's a New Jersey voter to do? I don't know about you, but I'm voting for Chris Daggett. And I'm proud to say that's not going to be a wasted vote.

That's why The Star Ledger’s endorsement of Chris Daggett is great news. I wish the Republicans would stop the Bush/Rove Fear mongering. There is obviously a consensus that a vote for Daggett is not a vote for Corzine.

Daggett is a viable candidate and there are many of this who are voting for him because we know he can win and is the only candidate who can change this state. The Star Ledger’s endorsement echoes and re-affirms that opinion.

We need people to get involved and spread the word about Chris Daggett. http://njelection.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/bloggers-needed-to-spread-the-word-ledger-endorses-daggett%e2%80%8f/

Learn 15 ways to help and get started now. http://njelection.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/chris-daggett-campaign-15-ways-to-help/

Even if your not from NJ you can still cyber volunteer. Go here to get
Html and Text code to post on the web or in an email! http://njelection.wordpress.com/spread-the-word

Many of us have always believed that greed is one ...

2009-10-10T11:50:38.150-04:00

Many of us have always believed that greed is one of the factors that make our healthcare system the most expensive in the world.. Government has a place in keeping businesses…lawyers, drug companies, doctors, insurance companies…from making excessive profits off of people who can least afford it.

Even Republicans are starting to get behind the concept that government intervention on behalf of consumers is not only necessary…it is also good.

If we can put arbitrary caps on jury awards, we can put those same caps on the profits that drug companies, hospitals, doctors and insurance companies make.

Tort reform in itself will only save our 2 trillion dollar a year healthcare system about 0.5%

In itself...not a significant amount. But if you take the concept further and start putting caps not only on lawyers, but doctors, hospitals , insurance companies and drug companies...now you are talking real savings.

Government limits to jury awards. Yes.
Government limits to doctors fees. Yes
Government limits to drug companies profits. Yes
Government limits to insurance companies profits. Yes

Now we are all talking the same language

I think it demonstrates the value of the "peace pr...

2009-10-10T09:07:58.101-04:00

I think it demonstrates the value of the "peace prize" from a bunch of left wing socialists. Intentions are more important than results.

The jury is still out on President's "achievements". Personally, I think he's forgotten Clinton's famous dictum: "It's the economy, stupid!" He's allowing the bozo brigade to lead him down the yellow brick road to financial hell.

It's probably too late for him to save his Presidency from this crack up. I hope we survive it. At least the proverbial drunken sailors spend their own money and eventually run out.

This collision with economic reality is going to be painful. No economic Nobel for him. No chance for us.

Worse still this will provide far too much fodder ...

2009-10-09T22:01:36.542-04:00

Worse still this will provide far too much fodder for the right wing nuts who will now gas on endlessly about Obama only being interested in what a bunch of socialists think. Is a bad move on so many fronts. He should have declined.

As someone who had a GM bond in their IRA, I think...

2009-10-09T09:49:50.637-04:00

As someone who had a GM bond in their IRA, I think that was malfeasance in office. He stole from the little bondholders to reward his allies in the powerful UAW.

Sounds impeachable to me.

And, don't forget the "birthers". Why are all his "papers" hidden and fiercely defended?

There ain't no "we" except in the mind of socialis...

2009-10-09T09:46:16.658-04:00

There ain't no "we" except in the mind of socialists.

The deficit does matter. Our progeny are going to be serfs to this debt.

They congresscritters are LYING about the costs. No congressional estimate has ever been even close.

We have the Soviet Union as a lab experiment on socialism.

All the bills still leave 10-40 million uninsured. SO, let's not pretend that this is about "getting everyone insured". It's about control. It's about power. It's about making money for them and their buddies.

No thanks.

And, they ARE going to CUT meidcare 500M$. While the enrollment jumps.

Where's the utrage about that "cut"?

Argh!

please tell us something we don't already know.

2009-10-08T06:37:51.268-04:00

please tell us something we don't already know.

That's a lovely family.. I hope my family can like...

2009-10-07T06:38:42.016-04:00

That's a lovely family..
I hope my family can like that..
It's so far

Both sides are transparent as the emperor's new cl...

2009-10-05T22:52:45.697-04:00

Both sides are transparent as the emperor's new clothes. We need to FRIP them all. Get Rid of Incumbent Politicians! Every time. Every election. Every race. No exceptions. No one is "too good" to be replaced. Call it "Voter Enforced Term Limits"!

CHANNEL SURFING

I like most of what Chris Hedges writes and he doe...

"We thought Rickrolling had been done to death... ...

I probably shouldn't have singled out the purses. ...

I dunno, Hank -- why do you assume that a purse is...

New Jerseyites have been complaining about propert...

It's a bad idea and once it's done, it can't be un...

These right wing demagogues disgust me. They're gi...

I have to agree. I live in South Brunswick, but my...

You are absolutely right, Hank. One single South ...

*** begin quote *** The whole secession crap was ...

Let me clarify. The idea of secession is a stupid ...

NJ secedes and so we will have President Corzine o...

As one of the founders of the Eastern Villages Ass...

*** begin quote *** We are a representative democ...

Having legislatures pick senators didn't work out ...

*** begin quote *** The issue here is the fili...

Let me tell you, I'm as sick as you are of Chris C...

Many of us have always believed that greed is one ...

I think it demonstrates the value of the "peace pr...

Worse still this will provide far too much fodder ...

As someone who had a GM bond in their IRA, I think...

There ain't no "we" except in the mind of socialis...

please tell us something we don't already know.

That's a lovely family.. I hope my family can like...

Both sides are transparent as the emperor's new cl...

* begin quote * The whole secession crap was ...

* begin quote * We are a representative democ...

* begin quote * The issue here is the fili...